When it comes to Easter treats in New Zealand this year, we truly are spoilt for choice. From your classic hot cross buns to tantalising dessert collabs, we round up the best sweet delights to try this Easter.
Ima Cuisine
Auckland
You’ll have to be quick to get your hands on Ima’s famous hot cross buns. These mouthwatering buns, with their distinct crème patissiere cross, are some of the best Easter treats in New Zealand.
The Pantry
Auckland
The Pantry at Park Hyatt is rolling out all the stops this Easter with their special pastries and treats. Award-winning pastry chef Callum Liddicoat has put an extravagant twist on the classic hot cross bun, made with a butter brioche combined with a soft milk roll and filled with dried fruits that have been soaked in Earl Grey tea. For a sweeter take, try the Pecan Valrhona Dulcey Chocolate and Caramel.
If its a chocolatey egg your craving, the ‘The Egg’ is an enticing take on the crème egg, with salted mango caramel, whipped Chantilly and 55% Valrhona Itakuja chocolate.
Ripe Deli
Grey Lynn & Smales Farm
Auckland’s favourite food haven, Ripe Deli, is serving up a number of tasty Easter treats, including Cookie Dough Cheesecake Easter Slice and brioche Hot Cross Buns served with burnt orange butter.
Duck Island x Ima Cuisine
Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington
Why not try your hot cross bun in icecream form? Duck Island has introduced a new Easter delight in collaboration with Ima Cuisine. The hot cross bun icecream is made by toasting Ima’s famous hot cross buns and infusing them into the dairy base, adding extra spices, orange zest, and plumped currants.
Daily Bread
Auckland
A list of the best hot cross buns in New Zealand wouldn’t be complete without the crowning winner of the Great NZ Hot Cross Bun competition. For the first time, an Auckland bakery has taken home the title. Daily Bread’s hot cross buns are a must-try. These sourdough buns are made with a delicious spice fruit mix and topped with a glaze of Gisborne oranges.
European Bakery
GIAPO x De’Longhi
Auckland
Like your sweets and coffee, too? GIAPO has launched a limited edition collaboration with De’Longhi, offering an fantastic Easter Treat Box and the chance to wine a new De’Longhi coffee machine.
Priced at $60, GIAPO’s gluten free box features their own take on the classic hot cross bun, Easter eggs, carrot cake icecream and a bespoke recipe for a cinnamon s’more coffee. Customers can go in the draw to win the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Plus by purchasing one of the Easter Treat Boxes from the GIAPO store on Gore Street, Auckland.
Ferg Baker
Whittakers
Nationwide
An Easter treat that feels distinctly New Zealand, Whittaker’s – recently awarded the ‘Green Egg/Golden Egg’ in the ethical 2022 Chocolate Scorecard – has launched their own ‘Chocolate Kiwi’, available in Five Roll Refined Creamy Milk and 50% Dark Chocolate. If you need any more convincing to indulge in these tasty Easter treats in New Zealand, know that your purchase goes to a great cause, as 20 cents from every Chocolate Kiwi goes directly to Save the Kiwi’s breeding programme.
Inspired to make your own Easter desserts? Try these 12 Hot Cross Bun Inspired Desserts
